Review: "The Plans We Made" by Kathryn Cushman & Lauren Beccue

The Plans We Made is a beautiful story about finding love and belonging in the midst of life's trials.

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When past secrets hold the only key to hope for the future…

Caroline Chapman is reeling from a broken engagement. Determined to start again, she moves cross-country for her dream job of planning events in the historical mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. Just as her life is getting back on track, she gets an email that shakes her very foundations.

Linda Riley’s life looks picture perfect - a wonderful husband, two great kids, involved in church and the community. Then comes the diagnosis that shatters the facade. In order to save her son’s life, she must reveal secrets that can rip everything apart.

Connected by more than painful circumstances, these two women discover a sacred bond. In this beautiful story of love, loss, and the fight for life, Caroline and Linda experience the reality that life doesn’t always go according to The Plans We Made.

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Caroline is a woman whose life is upended when her wedding is canceled, she gets her dream job on the opposite coast, and she hears from a woman who she thought was out of her life forever. That woman, Linda, never expected to contact Caroline, as Caroline's presence could shatter her "perfect" life. But Linda's son Maddox's illness sets events in motion that will change both women - and their families - forever.

The Plans We Made starts slowly - a little too slowly for my taste. I wasn't overly interested in Caroline's work with the Newport Preservation Society or the details of Maddox's illness. But the second half of the novel, when Caroline becomes connected with Linda's family and begins a relationship with handsome contractor Chris, really shines. I loved watching all the different relationships develop in Caroline's life, and the last few chapters were especially touching. (You might want to have some tissues handy!) While certain plot points bothered me (don't even get me started on Caroline's ex-fiancé), overall I really enjoyed this novel. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book. (#ad)

Read my review of Cushman's Another Dawn. 

Book Giveaway

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Giveaway with Purchase

MAKE YOUR PLANS IN PENCIL! 

Now, go buy your copy of The Plans We Made online or at a local bookstore, then be sure to head to Lauren’s website to claim your bonus freebie!

THREE CUSTOM PENCILS:

• Make Your Plans in Pencil
• The Plans We Made
• Proverbs 19:21

Just contact Lauren with your name, address, and where you purchased the book, and she’ll send you a set. That's it! (US only and get 'em while they last.)

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Kathryn Cushman graduated with a degree in pharmacy from Samford University. After hanging up her lab coat, she shifted her focus toward writing. Her previous works have received multiple nominations for both the Carol Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. The Plans We Made is her tenth published novel.

Learn more at kathryncushman.com. Follow Kathryn on Facebook (@authorkathryncushman) and Instagram (katiecushman1).

Lauren Beccue graduated from Holy Cross with a BA in English and now lives with her family in Santa Barbara. She writes about faith and family, with an emphasis on agricultural passages of the Bible. This is her first novel.

Learn more at laurenbeccue.com. Follow Lauren on Facebook (@beccue.lauren) and Instagram (@lauren_beccue).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Read With Audra. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."